Holgorsen, players applaud Dawson’s expanded role at Kentucky: ‘He’s ready’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Back when Kevin White was a barely-known junior college receiver, he welcomed West Virginia offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson into his home for a recruiting visit that changed the direction of his career.

White, whose family lived an hour north of Philadelphia, was leaning toward signing with Texas Tech at the time. At least until Dawson—brandishing that southeastern Louisiana dialect—won over the recruit.

“I actually laughed the first time I heard him talk,” White said. “But it kind of brought me in, made me feel closer.”

Of course it wasn’t simply how Dawson spoke that made the pitch memorable, but also what he said. Working in tandem with Dawson’s cozy personality was a track record of passing success in the “Air Raid” offense.

“He made it very clear that if I don’t come, then someone else is going to catch 100 balls,” White recalled. “He said you choose whether it’s you or someone else. It was a great choice by me, I guess.”

Shannon Dawson will coach West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl before becoming Kentucky’s offensive coordinator.

With 1,318 receiving yards and 102 catches, White is wrapping up one of the most productive seasons in West Virginia history. The Liberty Bowl will mark his final game as a Mountaineer, just as it will mark for Dawson, who is leaving to become offensive coordinator and play-caller at Kentucky.

White learned this late Wednesday night when his roommate, sophomore receiver Daikiel Shorts, came bounding downstairs with the news.

“I was like ‘What?'” White said. “But, you know, he’s a good guy. Congratulations to Coach.”

That’s the same reaction Dana Holgorsen emitted during recent conversations with Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops, who offered Dawson a chance to climb out of Holgorsen’s shadow and prove himself as a chief offensive decision-maker. Holgorsen remembered seizing a similar chance upon leaving Mike Leach’s staff at Texas Tech after the 2007 season to become the University of Houston’s coordinator.

Now it’s Dawson’s turn.

“Here he works for an offensive head coach who’s going to be involved in the offense, and you all, I think, understand that,” Holgorsen said. “To be able to work for a defensive head coach and have complete control of (the offense) is something that he’s ready for at this point.

“Shannon joked that when he first came here he thought he was ready for that job, but after four years he knows he ready for this job. And I know it.”

West Virginia junior Jordan Thompson, who also was recruited by Dawson, will return as the team’s top receiver next season under a new coordinator—one he hopes has Dawson’s knack for “helping us sort things out when things are foggy.” Saying it hurts to lose a coach with such an approachable demeanor, Thompson understands the professional ambition driving Dawson’s move.

“He’s going there because it’s more power, and probably more fitting for him, so he can evolve and get his name out there,” Thompson said. “But I respect what he did here and what he taught me. I’m grateful for that.”

Despite taking a secondary role to WVU’s play-calling, fellow assistants lauded Dawson’s deep understanding of all the offense’s facets. He has coached receivers, quarterbacks and running backs at different stops, along with being a play-calling coordinator for five seasons at Division III Milsaps and FCS member Stephen F. Austin.

“Shannon knows this offense inside and out. He knows what he’s doing,” said running backs coach JaJuan Seider. “I think what we did the last couple years is going to make him even better—not to feel like he’s got to spread out and throw it all the time. You’re talking about a guy who’s got a bright future.”

The next step in that future won’t begin until after the Liberty Bowl. While circumstances don’t always allow job-hopping coaches to remain on staff through the bowl season, Holgorsen suggested Dawson will maintain focus on his current job until time comes to start the new one.

Said Holgorsen: “I trust him as much as any coach I’ve ever been with.”





More WVU Sports

WVU Sports
3 Guys Before The Game - Searching For Mr. Right (Episode 539)
What factors will determine how long the search lasts for WVU's new basketball coach?
March 18, 2024 - 3:05 pm
Sports
WVU heads to Iowa City as a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, potential matchup with Caitlin Clark awaits
WVU will face Princeton in the NCAA Tournament opener Saturday.
March 17, 2024 - 10:56 pm
Sports
Ohio State rolls past WVU, 26-11 in series finale
An 8-run sixth inning allowed the Buckeyes to take two out of three in the weekend series.
March 17, 2024 - 7:13 pm
News
Wren Baker talks about the basketball coaching search
Baker spoke about the search on Friday's MetroNews Talkline and wouldn't put any timeline or number on candidates or direction other than to say he's focused on the future of WVU basketball
March 15, 2024 - 1:20 pm


Your Comments